1928
Gene
2018
Gene C. Drumm
October 16, 1928 — May 14, 2018
Gene Marie Covert Drumm, 89, passed peacefully on May 14, 2018, in Ft. Pierce, FL, following an extended illness. Born to the late Leo and Audra R. Covert and raised in East Randolph, NY, she moved to Florida in 1947. Other than ten years living in Tempe, Arizona during her early retirement years, she spent her life on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
In the 1960s she was Director of the Civitan Child Care & Training Center. She worked with area parents of exceptional children (physically, mentally or emotionally disabled) to help establish a nurturing environment for their children as well as her daughter Sara who was the driving force behind her work in this field.
For the rest of her professional career and until her retirement, Gene worked as a licensed real estate agent, then as manager and later owner of W.C. Company, a local construction company. It was with W.C. Company that she oversaw the development of the saltbox cedar homes along the Savannas in Indian River Estates which were uniquely designed and built for the Florida environment, as well as many other single-family homes in the White City area. The construction part of her life also allowed her to use her artistic abilities to express herself through interior design.
Not afraid to try new things, she earned her private pilot license in 1976 and even took up ballroom dancing. She was also an accomplished artist who studied under Beanie Backus and Teresa Knowles.
For all of the limitations her body put on her as the degenerative neurological diseases progressed, she refused to let it stop her, and her sense of humor and sharp wit remained intact through it all. A pioneer and role model for many, her bravery and tenacity will continue to be an inspiration to her family and friends.
She is survived by her brother, James Covert of Edina, Minnesota; children Jay Joiner (Sue) of Hardy, VA and Marathon, FL; Gail Tally (Charles) of Bedford, VA; Merry Lee Parnham (Kris) of Orillia, Ontario, Canada; Amy Kitchell (Craig) of Ft. Pierce, FL; and Jon Fagerstrom of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; grandchildren Michael, Christopher, Chad, Aaron, Anna, Laura, Sedona, Joelle, and Marina; and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sara Joiner.
A life celebration will be held in East Randolph at a later date.
In the 1960s she was Director of the Civitan Child Care & Training Center. She worked with area parents of exceptional children (physically, mentally or emotionally disabled) to help establish a nurturing environment for their children as well as her daughter Sara who was the driving force behind her work in this field.
For the rest of her professional career and until her retirement, Gene worked as a licensed real estate agent, then as manager and later owner of W.C. Company, a local construction company. It was with W.C. Company that she oversaw the development of the saltbox cedar homes along the Savannas in Indian River Estates which were uniquely designed and built for the Florida environment, as well as many other single-family homes in the White City area. The construction part of her life also allowed her to use her artistic abilities to express herself through interior design.
Not afraid to try new things, she earned her private pilot license in 1976 and even took up ballroom dancing. She was also an accomplished artist who studied under Beanie Backus and Teresa Knowles.
For all of the limitations her body put on her as the degenerative neurological diseases progressed, she refused to let it stop her, and her sense of humor and sharp wit remained intact through it all. A pioneer and role model for many, her bravery and tenacity will continue to be an inspiration to her family and friends.
She is survived by her brother, James Covert of Edina, Minnesota; children Jay Joiner (Sue) of Hardy, VA and Marathon, FL; Gail Tally (Charles) of Bedford, VA; Merry Lee Parnham (Kris) of Orillia, Ontario, Canada; Amy Kitchell (Craig) of Ft. Pierce, FL; and Jon Fagerstrom of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; grandchildren Michael, Christopher, Chad, Aaron, Anna, Laura, Sedona, Joelle, and Marina; and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sara Joiner.
A life celebration will be held in East Randolph at a later date.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Gene C. Drumm, please visit our flower store.
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